5 Stories to Watch Next Week | January 23, 2021

5 Stories to Watch Next Week Biden to Sign Executive Orders on Immigration, Abortion President Joe Biden is expected to sign executive orders targeting Trump-era actions on issues including climate, abortion, and immigration next week. According to his administration, Biden will sign an order establishing a commission to review the transfer of weaponry to police departments. He also intends to rescind the Trump administration’s Mexico City policy, which bars government funding to international groups that provide or promote abortion. Furthermore, Biden is also expected to announce a review of the Trump administration’s public charge rule, which bars the entry of immigrants who would rely on public outlays upon entry. Watch next week to see which of these orders Biden signs. Also look out for the Republican response. CDC Vaccine Advisers to Hold Emergency Meeting Vaccine advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to discuss the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. The meeting is also supposed to cover other subjects such as the progress achieved in vaccine administration, the safety of the vaccines, and testing the vaccine on children. There is a time slot reserved for a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer to present, but the name of the manufacturer is yet to be determined. Watch next week to see what these public health experts say about the effectiveness of the vaccine and if they acknowledge the possibility of adverse reactions. Also look to find out if they express concerns regarding the speed with which the vaccine is being delivered. Senate Confirmation Hearings Continue for Biden Nominees The US Senate will continue the confirmation process for key Cabinet members nominated by President Joe Biden. The Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), will examine the nomination of Gov. Gina Raimondo (D-RI) for the position of secretary of commerce next Tuesday, succeeding Wilbur Ross in the Trump administration. The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), will examine the nomination of Denis Richard McDonough to be secretary of veterans affairs next Wednesday. Watch next week to find out if any Democrats express opposition to these nominees, complicating their path to confirmation. Also look to find out if any Republicans express support for these nominees. Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to Address World Economic Forum Meeting Xi Jinping, general secretary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, is slated to address a virtual meeting of the World Economic Forum next week in a meeting held Jan. 25-29. The meeting will include global leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. According to reports, Xi’s address will attempt to portray China’s response to COVID-19 as a successful model for other nations. The speech may also critique President Trump’s trade tariff policies toward China. Watch next week to see how the American delegation represents the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda. Also look to find out if they push back against China’s attempts to characterize their response to COVID-19 as a success. European Parliament Members to Criticize Proposed EU Trade Deal with China Tensions within the European Union (EU) over the bloc’s stance toward China will come to a head next week when members of the European Parliament criticize the European Commission for signing a controversial investment agreement with China without adequate human rights protections. The proposed deal has been criticized for providing the EU with minimal additional market access to China while containing no provisions to enforce China’s commitment to avoid the use of forced labor. Watch next week to find out if EU MEPs seek to delay the ratification of the agreement in a concerted manner so as to seek further concessions from China. Also look to find out if the Biden administration takes a stance opposing the ratification of this agreement owing to concerns regarding Chinese forced labor. Newt will host a virtual live event at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 26. JOIN TODAY to be a part of this special event and receive a BONUS GIFT. Click here to join Newt’s Inner Circle.